Awareness of Polish physicians regarding the impact of air pollution on health

Abstract

The air quality in Poland is the worst in Europe. The aim of the study was to assess the awareness of Polish physicians about the impact of air pollution on health, the sources of their knowledge and how this knowledge is used in clinical practice. The study was based on a voluntary and anonymous questionnaire and included 94% of doctors from a hospital in Warsaw. Only 25% of physicians think that their knowledge of the impact of air pollution on health is sufficient. The main sources of this knowledge were the internet and TV. Only 5% of physicians know what air pollution concentrations are acceptable, 17% follow the levels of air pollution in their region and 3% inform their patients when air pollution exceeds permissible limits. The older and noninterventional physicians inform patients more often about these dangers. The knowledge of physicians on air pollution is not sufficient and they need professional education in this area.

Keywords:

• Air pollution
• education
• health impact
• knowledge
• physicians

Acknowledgments

This research was not funded by any public, commercial, or not-for-profit agencies.

Conflict interest

No conflict of interest was reported by the author.